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Warkentin reflects on 2017

Chris Warkentin believes the Conservative Part of Canada is stronger and more united than ever before.

Warkentin, MP for Grande Prairie- Mackenzie, recently reflected on the highs and lows of 2017.

“The Conservative Party of Canada is stronger, more united and working harder than ever before,” he said, in a statement. “In 2017 we elected a new leader, Andrew Scheer, who is inspiring Canadians across the country with his positive Conservative vision for hardworking Canadians.”

Scheer was elected the leader of the Conservative party in May after getting 51% of the available points to edge out front-runner Maxime Bernier.

“Over the past year we’ve held Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government accountable for its unethical behaviour, tax hikes and failure to deliver results for middle class Canadians,” Warkentin added. “While we do this, we’re offering Canadians a real vision that actually recognizes and responds to the challenges they face every day.”

Warkentin said the Conservation opposition is “offering policies that promote the work of our resource industries, agriculture, and local business.”

“Our communities don’t need higher taxes to pay for big business bailouts like the $370 million bailout of Bombardier. They need the freedom and flexibility to invest in their operations and hire more employees,” said Warkentin.

“Trudeau has failed to champion the issues our communities care about. Instead, he’s garnered headlines by failing to promote Canadian energy with the Energy East Pipeline; he’s sent an irresponsible tweet that led to thousands of people trying to illegally cross the Canadian border.

“Folks from across the Peace Country were astounded when he decided to give a convicted terrorist a $10 million payout and then tried to change the channel by proposing new tax changes on hardworking mom-and-pop businesses just trying to make a living.”

Warkentin said there’s concern “about the future of our economy” and the products that can be exported from the Peace Region “since Trudeau damaged free trade opportunities with countries like Japan and Australia; all while putting NAFTA in danger.”

“The fun’s over, and the Prime Minister must wake up to the reality that his decisions have very real consequences on the lives of real Canadians,” said Warkentin. “He can’t pretend that his policies are not damaging the fabric of our communities and putting our future at risk.”

In 2018, Warkentin said he looks forward to continuing to fight for “hardworking Peace Country families”.

“It is my privilege to serve our communities and the people who call our region home. I look forward to the coming year and the opportunities and the challenges that we will face together.”